- Inaugural meeting of the WA Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group takes place
- Forum to provide advice on wildlife sector capability, capacity and emerging priorities
- Cook Labor Government reaffirms commitment to strengthen collaboration with wildlife sector and strengthen defences against threat of bird flu
Leaders of the State's most prominent wildlife organisations have set a road map for providing advice to government about dealing with the threat of bird flu to wildlife in Western Australia.
This happened at the inaugural meeting of the Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group on Thursday where disease preparedness and response measures were discussed.
With increasing reports of spread among wild birds and some mammals in other States, the group committed to support ongoing response efforts focused on minimising impacts on wildlife, animal and human health, communities and agricultural industries in WA.
The Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group is made up of representatives from the wildlife sector, conservation groups, veterinarians, local government and State Government agencies.
It will provide a dedicated forum for wildlife organisations to share their expertise, identify emerging issues and help inform the State's ongoing approach to managing bird flu.
The inaugural meeting was attended by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn and chaired by David McFerran.
Other attendees included representatives from BirdLife WA, WA Local Government Association, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. There were also wildlife rehabilitators, including, Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, Perth Wildlife Hospital, WA Wildlife, Kanyana Wildlife, Darling Range Wildlife Shelter, FAWNA, WA Seabird Rescue, Mandurah Wildlife, Healing Hands Wildlife Care, Esperance Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary, Pilbara Wildlife Carers Association, and WA Seabird Conservation Network.
There was unanimous support for the Cook Labor Government's launch earlier this month of a $2 million Bird Flu Wildlife Resilience Grants package, to support wildlife rehabilitators and community organisations to prepare for the potential impacts of bird flu.
Applications are now open for grants of up to $200,000 to support longer-term projects that strengthen the resilience of Western Australia's native wildlife.
The group acknowledged the importance of surveillance and public vigilance in reporting signs of bird flu in wildlife.
This Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group forms part of the Cook Labor Government's co-ordinated response to bird flu, which includes:
- regular engagement with the poultry industry, local governments, veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, including webinars and community forums;
- enhanced surveillance and testing across the State, supported by trained field teams, expanded laboratory capacity and increased supplies of sampling equipment and personal protective equipment;
- additional training for response personnel in safe sampling techniques, biosecurity procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment;
- Divisional Commands established in Perth, Esperance, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton to co-ordinate regional operations, with additional capability in northern Western Australia ready to be activated if required;
- increased surveillance capacity across the metropolitan area, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Mid West, including joint Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions monitoring at priority coastal and island locations;
- vessels and field teams deployed to locations including Lancelin and Edwards Island to monitor wildlife populations and identify signs of illness or unusual mortality;
- a central bird flu website and weekly public updates providing clear information and helping Western Australians contribute to early detection;
- a stakeholder communications toolkit providing consistent, practical information for industry, community organisations and other partners to share through their networks;
- regular engagement with the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Management Group;
- Bird Flu Wildlife Resilience Grants for wildlife groups to prepare for the impacts of bird flu; and
- a bird flu vaccination trial for threatened black cockatoo species at Perth Zoo.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should AVOID and not handle the animals but RECORD and take photos or a video and REPORT to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Western Australians can keep up to date on developments by visiting: wa.gov.au/birdflu
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"The establishment of the Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group reinforces the Cook Labor Government's commitment to protecting Western Australia's environment.
"There have been no positive detections of bird flu in WA for several weeks, but the increasing cases in other States and Territories show we cannot be complacent and must be prepared for the spread of this deadly and highly contagious disease.
"I look forward to working with the advisory group as we prepare for and meet the challenges that lie ahead."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Bird flu is an evolving threat and bringing together expertise from across the wildlife sector will help strengthen Western Australia's preparedness and response.
"Strong surveillance and early reporting remain critical to understanding how the virus is moving and helping us reduce the risks to our wildlife, poultry sector and broader agricultural industries.
"Our government will continue working closely with industry, wildlife organisations and the community to make sure Western Australia is as prepared as possible for further detections and the potential spread of bird flu."
